Access to the right machinery and financing can play a critical role in helping farmers and agribusinesses improve productivity, build resilience and unlock new opportunities across the agricultural value chain.
Recognising this need, Equity Bank, in partnership with Inchcape Kenya, the National Irrigation Authority (NIA), farmer cooperatives and the business community, recently brought agro-mechanisation solutions closer to farmers and businesses in the Hola and Bura Irrigation Schemes.
Held on 17th and 19th September, the engagements brought together more than 200 participants, including farmers, business owners, cooperative members, machinery experts and other stakeholders. Participants had an opportunity to see agricultural machinery in action, learn about its applications and engage directly with technical and financing teams on solutions suited to their operations.
The engagements highlighted the role of mechanisation in supporting farmers and businesses to improve efficiency, increase productivity and build more resilient agricultural enterprises.
“Agro-mechanisation can play an important role in helping farmers and businesses improve efficiency and productivity. Our goal is to make the right financing solutions accessible so that more customers can invest in productive assets and grow their businesses,” said Suzy Marie, Equity Regional Relationship Manager – Asset Finance, Coast Region.
For farmers and agribusinesses seeking to invest in productive assets, Equity Bank provides Asset Finance solutions that can finance up to 95% of the cost of new tractors and other farm machinery, subject to applicable terms and assessment. The Bank also provides financing for trucks and other productive assets to support businesses across the agricultural value chain.
“Mechanisation gives farmers and agribusinesses an opportunity to improve the way they operate, from land preparation and planting to harvesting and transportation. By bringing the machinery closer to farmers and allowing them to interact with the technology, we can help them better understand how these solutions can respond to their specific needs,” said Fredrick Onserio, National Service Manager at Inchcape Kenya Limited.
The partnership also underscores the importance of collaboration in advancing agricultural productivity, particularly in irrigation schemes where access to appropriate technology, financing and technical expertise can support farmers in making more productive use of their land and resources.
“Supporting farmers within irrigation schemes goes beyond providing access to water. It also involves creating an enabling environment where farmers can access technology, finance, knowledge and markets that support sustainable agricultural production. Partnerships such as this bring practical solutions closer to farmers and can contribute to stronger, more productive agricultural enterprises,” said Eng. James Tsuma of Hola Irrigation Scheme.
Beyond mechanisation, Equity Bank offers a range of solutions designed to support businesses across the agricultural value chain, including working capital, Local Purchase Order (LPO) finance, trade finance and insurance. The Bank also provides financial literacy support to help cooperatives and their members make informed financial decisions as they explore mechanisation and other investments.
For Equity, enabling access to productive assets is part of a broader commitment to supporting farmers, entrepreneurs and businesses to grow. By combining financing, financial knowledge and partnerships with technical experts, the Bank continues to support customers in turning agricultural ambition into productive investments.
As Kenya's agricultural sector continues to evolve, collaboration between financial institutions, machinery providers, government agencies, cooperatives and farmers will remain important in expanding access to technologies and solutions that can strengthen productivity and livelihoods. For more information contact Suzy Marie via suzy.gray@equitybank.co.ke or log on to: https://equitygroupholdings.com/ke/borrow/agri-business/
Suzy Marie, Equity Regional Relationship Manager – Asset Finance, Coast Region speaking during the event
